Post by @rdm@aus.social

2026-09-05 15:20 UTC

Mother of All, Divesen Station, ten minutes after Athena's docking. Alaine was shutting down the systems, when an STC broadcast came in. He monitored it, and then called out "Captain? You'll want to hear this!" Engel twitched a little, and then gestured to Alaine, who rewound the message and played it back over a speaker. "Bright Sky, Bright Sky, we have new approach data for you. Proceed to planetary coordinates attached, and make planetfall. Flight patch attached, you are cleared to enter restricted airspace." Then came the reply "Divesen Control, please confirm planetfall." "Bright Sky, confirmed. Rerouting ordered by Scout Commander Finder." At that, Seeker, who had also been listening, gasped. Engel turned "Seeker?" "Uh, Captain, that is my grandmother. Only she retired from the Scouts over forty years ago. And she was just an ordinary Scout." "Do you know why Bright Sky is being ordered planetside?" "No, no idea at all." "Sir?" Alaine cut in. "Alaine?" "Sir, I've heard of this before, surely you have too?" "What do you -" he paused "Reactivation? Of course, but Scout Commander? They only -" Alaine finished his sentence "are found at Scout bases. So they have a base here now." Seeker took over "But that means the treaty has been rewritten. Scouts were forbidden to be on planet unless they were part of a clan. What..." and she broke off. "Seeker?" Alaine looked worried. "Uh, I have been summoned to the Council Chambers. We all have. Now." Seeker reached for the intercom. "Hold!" Engel commanded. Seeker stopped and looked at him. "I am, apparently, the Captain." "Sorry Captain. Permission to summon the crew?" Engel shook his head and stepped over, taking the intercom "All hands, secure your stations, and proceed to the bridge immediately." Seeker nodded. A few minutes later everyone aboard was in the bridge. "Right, we are being summoned to the Council. Best behaviour. Meantime the Captain is heading planetside," Engel announced, "Dyani, lock safe?" "Inner and outer green, sir!" she replied. "Very good, break seals." The crew moved out into the station. There was no-one waiting. Seeker took the lead "Follow me."" #SF #SciFi #SFF #SpaceOpera #microfic #tootfic #MicroFiction #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

Replies (1)

@rdm@aus.social 2026-09-06 06:27

62 Years ago, Mother of All, Horsebreeder Clan lands Joy had fifteen summers to her name. The following year she would be expected to commit to a path of learning. One that would lead to the sort of life she wished to live. Most of her friends would continue in the Horsebreeder Clan. Far above, she could feel Dives Swiftly. She had spotted a large waterbird. It would make a fine dinner for the family. And a good feed for Dives Swiftly as well. Joy sent approval, and the hunting bird, true to her name, dove on the unsuspecting bird, breaking its neck with the impact, and then steered the limp body to the ground near Joyful Finder. "Good strike" Joy said, as Dives looked at her. She took out her knife, and neatly cut the belly of the bird open, and Dives started to feed. "I am thinking of leaving." Dives paused, and looked at her, whistling a query. "Next year a Scout will visit. I think I will go with them." Dives whistled again. "There probably will be little chance to hunt." Another whistle. "I know better than to try and talk you out of it." Dives went back to eating. "Now I have to tell Dad and Father." After Dives finished her meal, Joy finished bleeding the bird, and then carried it home, sending an image of a roast ahead. She felt Father's excitement at the idea. At dinner, late that evening, her parents paused in their eating, and looked at her. Dad spoke first "Joy, is there something on your mind? You feel, well, a bit off." Joy sighed. "It isn't that Copper Digger kid again is it?" "No, Dad, it isn't that. I think she's learned her lesson." "Then what?" "I know what I need to do." "Great!" her Dad exclaimed. "What is it, Joy?" asked her Father. Joy poked her plate. "Oh no! She wants to join the Sailmakers! Shipping will be doomed!" her Father cried out. Joy's lack of skill with a needle and thread was infamous, even now. "No", Joy smiled sadly, "But you might wish it was." Her Father grew serious "What then?" Dad spoke up "You know that we will always support you. No matter what." "I intend to go with the Scout that will visit next year." There was a stunned silence. Her Dad reacted first "You mean to go to the stars?" "Yes. I want to be what Lorn was. To learn the ways of the Stars, so we can be enough to end the Raiders for good." "You will have to tell the Council." Joy nodded "But they cannot deny me." "No, they cannot. The treaty says as much." "We will miss you, Joy" her Father said softly. "And I'll miss everyone here. Except Dives." Both her parents looked surprised at this, and she shrugged. "Dives inists that she'll come along." Shaking his head, her Father gave a wry smile "I swear, she thinks you are chick that still needs to fledge." "Maybe she's right, if this is what Joy means to do" Dad replied. The following day, her parents started to make arrangements to take a message to the Council. And showed Joy how to read Lorn's diaries. #SF #SciFi #SFF #SpaceOpera #microfic #tootfic #MicroFiction #ShamanSpace #IAmWriting

Open ##5035139